“The
shift in Easter to April did not provide enough bounce to retailers as retail
sales struggled to keep their strong spring pace,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “With consumer spending
accounting for roughly 70% of total economic activity, NRF remains hopeful that
the uninspiring April retail sales figures are just a temporary seasonal
fluctuation.”

April
retail sales released May 13 by the U.S. Census Bureau, which include
categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, increased
0.1% seasonally-adjusted month-to-month ($434.6 billion). The Census Bureau
also reported that retail sales increased 4% adjusted year-over-year.

“Even though retail sales were weaker than
anticipated, the fundamentals of the economy, including improving job growth
and income gains, remain positive,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “While the shift in Easter
played into the seasonal figures, NRF remains optimistic that retail sales will
keep their positive trajectory, albeit in fits-and-starts, in the second
quarter.”